Being a family genealogist is not always easy. And this is one of those times. I invariably knew the day would arrive when I had to create a memorial page for William “Bill” Genetti. It was a task I hoped would never come.
You see Bill was my family history mentor. When I first began my journey into genealogy back in 2010, Bill was happy to help by sharing his extensive family research files. Over the years, he had gathered information on all of the descendants of the Pennsylvania Genetti family. His files gave me a great jump-start into compiling our extended family tree.
Bill also introduced me to the original Genetti Family Tree – an amazing collection of ancestors presented as a beautiful fine art print. It was another incredible family history gift for a budding genealogist!
In 2014 he cheered me on when I accepted the responsibility of renovating and maintaining our family website. And in the Spring of 2016, Bill asked if I would help him organize a family reunion for that October. I was honored to assist Bill in bringing together cousins from all branches of our family. It was a wonderful reunion that I will always remember.
Throughout the years, Bill and I shared information via email correspondence and the occasional phone call, sometimes surprising each other with an unexpected family secret that we had uncovered through genetic genealogy or research. Yes, Bill was my genealogy buddy! I will very much miss his insight and generosity, as well as his passion for family history and the honor he brought to our ancestors. Bill will be greatly missed by our family and his Hazleton community. But I know his memory will live on through his many descendants and a lifetime of charitable works.
To my genealogy buddy, I bid you a fond farewell and God speed!
A memorial page has been created for Bill Genetti in the Tributes and Obituaries section of our family website. Please feel free to share your memories in the comments section of that page.
Memorial to William E. “Bill” Genetti: https://genettifamily.com/william-edward-bill-genetti/
The Genetti Family Genealogy Project 
A very nice tribute!
Obituary (Harman’d funeral home)
William E. “Bill” Genetti, 86 of Conyngham passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, April 18, 1935, he was the son of the late August H. and Della (Fox) Genetti. He was a graduate of West Hazleton High School and upon graduation enrolled and studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at Penn State University-University Park. He furthered his hospitality education in Lucerne, Switzerland. Upon completing his education, Bill returned to Pennsylvania and enlisted in the US Army. Following his discharge, he returned to Hazleton and managed the family business.
Bill was dedicated to his clients, customers, and employees, as the owner of Best Western Genetti Inn and Suites, Hazle Township. He was always a man of character and integrity, who chose to treat others with respect.
During his career he earned his Certified Hotel Administrator Designation. With over 55 years in the travel, tourism, and hospitality business, he was a strong advocate for promoting tourism in the state. He was a founding member and first President of the Pennsylvania Travel Council.
As a twenty-year member of the board of Can-Do, he was always promoting local businesses and jobs in the Hazleton area. Bill was a Past-President and lifetime member of the Hazleton Rotary Club. He served on many boards and organizations including the United Way, American Cancer Society, and Red Cross. As a businessman and community leader, Bill was very committed to giving back to the Hazleton area. Most importantly he was a man devoted to his family.
Bill was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by two sisters Rosemary Genetti Moyer and Marianne Genetti.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Stratts) Genetti, to whom he was married on January 4, 1975; four children Lyn Genetti Reeves, Baltimore, MD; William “Will” Genetti and his fiancee Morgan MacDonald, Mountville; Christopher Genetti and his wife Alex, Maytown; and Patrick Genetti; and his wife Cassandra, Sugarloaf; six grandchildren Pierce and Preston Reeves, Bailey Reeves Mount, Brittany, Evelina, and Gavin Genetti; five great-grandchildren; a brother Gus Genetti, Wilkes-Barre; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:30 am from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East) 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. John Bosco RC Church, 573 State Route 93, Sugarloaf. Interment will take place privately in Calvary Cemetery, Drums. Friends may call at the funeral home, Friday, May 21, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hazleton Rotary Scholarship Fund, 8 W. Broad St., Suite 50, Hazleton, PA 18201; Pathways to Recovery, 223 W. Broad St., Hazleton, PA 18201; or Sugarloaf Fire Company, 95 W. County Road, Sugarloaf, PA 18249. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at http://www.harmanfuneral.com.
Larry, this obituary is on our website under the Tribute page. The link can be found at the bottom of this blog post.
Beautifully said, Louise. My heart goes out to you and your (our!) family. Bill touched many lives… we should all hope to be so fondly remembered.
My condolences to you and the rest of Bill’s immediate family. He certainly was an asset to you with your family research, as well as a mentor and friend. Wish I could have met him.
On Tue, May 11, 2021 at 5:07 PM The Genetti Family Genealogy Project wrote:
> L.Roach posted: ” William E. “Bill” Genetti Being a family genealogist is > not always easy. And this is one of those times. I invariably knew the day > would arrive when I had to create a memorial page for William “Bill” > Genetti. It was a task I hoped would never come. ” >
I will miss my Dad very much. He was the “local” genealogist, he was my mentor, my flight instructor on twin engine aircraft, most important of all…He’s my Dad! I’ll miss and love him always. There’s a big void in all of our hearts. In flying terms …Dad, from here on out; there’s nothing but blue skies and tail winds for you. Fly high and enjoy! ❤️🛫